Legislative Newsletter: Our Testimony to Senate Finance Committee, Committee Assignments, Spotlight on Rep. Manuel

Published: Fri, 02/21/25

Updated: Fri, 02/21/25

Your source for disability policy news during the 89th Legislative Session.

House and Senate Committee Assignments Finalized

With the release of Texas House committee assignments on Feb. 13, both chambers of the 89th Texas Legislature have now finalized their committee appointments. These committees play a crucial role in shaping policy, as bills must first be debated and approved in committee before moving forward. Now that assignments are complete, the legislative process can move ahead, and committee hearings can begin.

View full committee assignments here:
- Texas House Committees
- Texas Senate Committees
View upcoming committee hearings here:
- Texas House
- Texas Senate

Committee Highlight: House Human Services Committee

Speaker Dustin Burrows appointed Representative Lacey Hull as Chair of the House Committee on Human Services for the 89th Legislature, with Representative Christian Manuel serving as Vice Chair. This committee plays a critical role in shaping policies that impact Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Many key bills affecting the IDD community are referred to this committee, making its work essential to The Arc of Texas’ advocacy efforts.

Orange background with white text says, "Texas House Human Services Committee" and includes a photo of Rep. Lacey Hull (Committee Chair from District 138) and Rep. Christian Manuel (Committee Vice Chair from District 22).

Committee members:

Chair: Rep. Lacey Hull (Houston)
Vice Chair: Rep. Christian Manuel (Port Arthur)
Members:
- Rep. Aicha Davis (DeSoto)
- Rep. Mark Dorazio (San Antonio)
- Rep. Christina Morales (Houston)
- Rep. Candy Noble (Lucas)
- Rep. Keresa Richardson (McKinney)
- Rep. Toni Rose (Dallas)
- Rep. Nate Schatzline (Fort Worth)
- Rep. Shelby Slawson (Stephenville)
- Rep. Valoree Swanson (Spring)

Advocating for Critical Investments

Our Testimony Before the Senate Finance Committee

The Arc of Texas is actively engaging with the Senate Finance Committee, advocating for critical investments to improve the lives of Texans with IDD. Below are highlights from our recent testimonies:

Special Education Funding Reform in Texas

WATCH our testimony (starts at 5:56:33).

READ our testimony transcript.

Reforming special education funding is essential to ensuring that Texans with disabilities receive a free and appropriate education, as guaranteed by federal law. Texas currently funds special education based on a “place” model, rather than accounting for the varying needs of students with different disabilities. On Feb. 10, Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo, The Arc of Texas Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, asked the legislature to change its funding model: “This session, we urge the legislature to transition to an intensity of service based funding model to build a sustainable, student-centered special education finance system in Texas,” said Sabrina.

Access to Home and Community Based Services

WATCH our testimony (starts at 19:55).

READ our testimony.

The Arc of Texas is committed to improving access to community services for Texans with disabilities. On Feb. 4, Sabrina urged a collaborative approach to improve the waiver system and transform service delivery: “We recommend the Legislature direct the agency to work with stakeholders on a plan to transform IDD services. This plan should focus on four pillars: provider accountability, quality providers, connecting to existing services, and expanding waiver slots. We need a long-term solution that ensures Texans with IDD get the services they need before a crisis arises,” said Sabrina.

Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
WATCH our testimony (starts at 5:29:05).

READ our testimony.

Ensuring access to competitive, integrated employment is a key priority for The Arc of Texas. On Feb. 12, Michael Clarke, The Arc of Texas Deputy Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, testified on the need to increase state funding for vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs to match all available federal VR funds: “VR helps Texans with disabilities secure meaningful jobs, strengthening our economy. However, due to insufficient state funding, thousands of Texans remain unemployed. We urge the Legislature to prioritize full funding for VR programs to ensure that no available federal dollars go to waste,” said Michael.

Advocating for Critical Investments

Advocate Spotlight: Representative Christian Manuel

We proudly recognize Rep. Christian Manuel of Port Arthur for his steadfast commitment to Texans with IDD. As a strong partner to The Arc of Texas and The Arc of Greater Beaumont, he has demonstrated dedicated leadership by sponsoring Meet The Arc Day at the Texas Capitol and filing the Handley Bill (HB 1188) which aims to require public school districts to refer students with IDD to their Local IDD Authority for essential services. His advocacy and support have been instrumental in advancing policies that improve the lives of people with IDD. We congratulate him on his recent appointment as Vice Chair of the House Human Services Committee, where his leadership will continue to make a meaningful impact. Thank you, Rep. Manuel, for your unwavering dedication!

Rep. Manuel (at center) and self-advocates from Beaumont smile enthusiastically with extended arms in a joyful pose at Meet The Arc Day on Jan. 31 at the Texas Capitol.

Pictured: Rep. Manuel (at center) and self-advocates from The Arc of Beaumont smile enthusiastically with extended arms in a joyful pose at Meet The Arc Day on Jan. 31 at the Texas Capitol.

Thank You!

On Jan. 31, 10 chapters of The Arc of Texas gathered with us at the Texas Capitol for “Meet The Arc Day,” completing more than 30 legislative visits to advocate for Texans with IDD. And on Feb. 14, for our annual statewide advocacy day, “Have a Heart for The Arc,” we encouraged legislators to invest in fair wages for Direct Support Professionals, many of whom make just $10.60/hour despite their critical role in helping Texans with IDD live in their communities versus an institution. Thanks to all who participated in both of these events, and special thanks to The Arc of the Capital Area for helping our team deliver cookies to legislative offices!

RSVP for March 19 Webinar | Out of Options: Addressing Inequities in Care for Texans with IDD and Mental Illness

The Arc of Texas Whole Person Project, funded by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, seeks to expand access to quality mental health services for adult Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Following months of research and interviews with individuals living and working at the intersection of this co-occurrence, we released an in-depth, investigative report, “Out of Options: Addressing Inequities in Care for Texans with IDD and Mental Illness,” authored by Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist Alex Stuckey. Get the report and RSVP to join us on Zoom on March 19 at 11 a.m. CST for a conversation about our key findings, recommendations, resources, and an update on related policy discussions happening at the Texas Legislature.

Stay up to date on advocacy opportunities and disability rights news: follow @TheArcOfTexas on social media and keep an eye on our emails.

Help us make progress for and with Texans with IDD by donating to The Arc of Texas today. Thank you.

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